Where can I get biomedical research experience as a volunteer?

Question

College grad would like to gain more experience in biomedical research but having difficulty finding an organization or institution to volunteer/intern for this purpose. Please help if you can.

Answer 1

Been there done that, it's a snake pit kind of situation you'll have to deal with as most of the people you'll be working with will be grad students and post docs and they'll think you're invading their turf and they'll try to knock you down so watch your back at all times. Present yourself as a slave and do everything they tell you, after a while you'll start learning something.

Where? Well, that's tricky, i don't know where you live. I did mine at an advanced biotech lab as a volunteer, but after 5 months of red tape and office burocracy i got tired and quit. Learned plenty though. I suggest you seek small jobs as a lab tech in the area you're interested in, you'll learn tons. Once you're fully versed in lab politics, try the big leagues.

Answer 2

I disagree with Mr. Snake-Pit above. There are lots of places that will give you a chance. All large academic centers (universities, medical schools, etc.) will have Human Resources departments that will have job listings (including research assistant positions like the one you seek). A lot of places even list them on their web sites. Put together a well-organized resume and a cover letter explaining what you are looking for and why. Then start contacting people. After you drop off your resume, be sure to follow-up with a call or email, etc.

It's a slow process, so in the meantime, get in contact with a temp placement service for laboratory people.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Try going to a large academic medical center that is affiliated with a medical school. See if there are research labs there. If so approach the volunteer office at the hospital and see if they use volunteers in the research labs. If you have some science background you might be surprised how many labs are willing to have someone volunteer to help out with their research.